austin



2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

(No Model.)

T. W. AUSTIN. APPARATUS FOR MAKING FEATHER BOAS.

P dM 5,1 Fzytz atentg ay 896 A z w A; k 2W (No Model.)

2 Sheets-Sheet 2. T. W. AUSTIN. APPARATUS FOR MAKING FEATHER BOAS. No. 559,663. Pat ented May 5, 189 6.

WITNESSES:

ATTORNEYS AN DREW 8.5RAHAM. PHOTOMINO, WASHINGTON. D C.

.ports, and Fig. 7 aview THEODORE IV. AUSTIN,

NITE STATES on NEW YORK,

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 559,563, dated May 5, 1896. Application filed December 13,1895- Serial No. 572,051. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THEODORE WVpAUSTIN, a citizen of the United States, residingin the city, county, and State of New York, have invented a certain new and Improved Apparatus for the Manufacture of Feather Boas, of which the following is a specification.

Heretofore in the manufacture of such articles the split feathers have been laid in position one by one in the hands of the operator, each being stitched separately when placed in its proper position. Such an operation, as is obvious, is a tedious one and for that reason expensive, and aside from these considerations the perfection of the boa depends upon the individual skill of the various operators.

The object of my invention is to provide an apparatus in which the feathers for an entire boa or anypart thereof may be built up each in proper position and then retained in that form as a whole, as well as each feather relatively to the others, while the quills may be properly tied, stitched, orsecured to complete the formation of the core of the boa. So far as I am aware such an apparatus is new, its advantages are apparent, and recital of them is unnecessary.

The accompanying drawings show my in vention in the form now best known to me and in the form in which I have used it practically with great success, not only as regards the economy of manufacture, but also as regards the uniform perfection of the articles.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view of a section of the base-board of my improved apparatus; Fig. 2, a longitudinal vertical central section therethrough; Fig. 3, a plan view similar to Fig. 1, showing, however, a number of feathers placed in position; Fig. 4, a similar view showing, however, side clamps applied to hold the outer portions of the feathers and leave their central or quill portions sufficiently exposed to permit of their being stitched or secured. Fig. 5 is a trans verse section through the center of Fig. 4; Fig. 6, an elevation looking at the edge of the base-board and showing it mountedin its suplooking at the end of the base-board and indicating the manner in which it is supported and the movement of preferably of which it is capable.

. The base-board A, which is to be of the required length, is formed with apertures CL greatest width in a line transverse to the longitudinal length of the board, and between the apertures are placed vertical pins B, preferably headed as indicated in Fig. 2, such pins forming two parallel series relatively close together, but on opposite sides of a longitudinal line, preferably drawn through the centers of the apertures a. Blocks 0, preferably of rubber or other elastic material, are placed between the apertures a and between the pin or pins of the two series or lines of pins. As indicated in Figs. 3 and 5, the feathers may be placed in position with the quills lying between the two series of pins and resting upon the elastic blocks. The heads of the pins serve to prevent the tendency of the feathers to rise or lift, which tendency will naturally increase as the bulk of feathers increases. The feathers are built up upon this board in the niannerindicated until the proper fullness of the boa is completed, and then I apply at the edges of the board some means for clamping or holding the feathers in position while their quills are being stitched or otherwise secured to form the core. These clamps may consist of side plates D D, having apertures through which pass screwthreaded bolts d, fixed in the base-board, and Y are retained in position by thumb-nuts d. It will now be apparent that the operator has access to the core, composed of the accumulated quill portions of the feathers, through the apertures a, and may stitch or otherwise secure them together.

My invention therefore contemplates a device by which the feathers may be arranged in proper form and their quill portions held in proper position, and in such a way that they may be switched, tied, or otherwise secured to complete the permanent formation of the core of the boa. The particular device that I have described is considered by me to be a very desirable form in which I embody my invention, and, as stated, I have so used it. The cushion-blocks Gare used to prevent any liability of injury to the quill portion of the feathers by pressing them with too much force into position. The device thus far described is, as will be apparent, complete and well adapted to carry out the purpose of my invention. I prefer, however, to mount the board by pivots E at its ends in brackets E, extending from any suitable table or counter, as E, upon which the loose feathers may be placed. A stop E retains the board normally in a horizontal position, but permits of its be ing turned upon its pivots, as indicated in dotted lines, to facilitate the operation of stitching, tying, or otherwise securing the quill portions of the feathers.

I claim as my inventionl. An apparatus for use in the manufacture of feather boas, consisting of a baseboard having arranged upon it means for re ceiving the feathers forming the boa, and holding their quill portions together in corelike form, and means for clamping the feathers on each side of the quill-core whereby such quill portions may be subsequently stitched, tied or otherwise secured to complete the formation of the core of the boa.

2. The combination of the base-board having apertures therein, and pins arranged in two parallel series between the apertures, for the purpose set forth.

3. The combination of the base-board having apertures therein, pins arranged in two parallel series between the apertures, and clamps to hold the feathers in position, for the purpose set forth.

4. The combination of the base-board having apertures therein, pins arranged in two parallel series between the apertures, and elastic blocks arranged between the apertures and pins, for the purpose set forth.

5. The combination of the base-board having apertures therein and pins between the apertures arranged in opposite parallel lines, and the end supports in which the board is pivoted.

6. The base-board having two parallel series of pins adapted to receive and retain the feathers with the quill portions between the pins, and blocks arranged at intervals between the two series of pins.

7. The base-board having a series of apertures therein and headed pins between the apertures, arranged in opposite parallel series, and clamp-pieces adapted to be applied to the board, one on each side of the series of pins, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name.

TIIEODORE IV. AUSTIN.

\Vitnesses:

FRANK S. OBER, CATHARINE GnoRoI. 

